Indonesian plane makes emergency landing after engine catches fire

Garuda Indonesia plane carrying 468 passengers lands shortly after taking off from Makassar, aborting flight to Madinah, Saudi Arabia

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) — An Indonesian jetliner made an emergency landing when one of its engines caught fire shortly after takeoff, local media reported on Thursday.

The plane of airline Garuda Indonesia, en route to the city of Madinah, Saudi Arabia, had taken off from Makassar, on Indonesia's eastern Sulawesi Island, with 468 passengers on board, according to local broadcaster Kompas TV.

The Boeing 747-400 immediately returned to its airport of departure after the flames were observed trailing out one of the engines, said the flag carrier.

It said that all 450 passengers, including many Muslims going to perform their Hajj pilgrimage, and 18 crew members were safely evacuated without any injury.

Ministry of Religious Affairs spokeswoman Anna Hasbie urged the airline to act in a professional manner.

The ministry held a coordination meeting to address the incident, issuing a strong warning to the airline.

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